Eligible players

The top 30 players on the current WLBS ranking list are eligible to be nominated by their National Federation (NF) to compete.

Each NF is able to nominate up to FOUR additional players to compete.

Only players representing National Federations who are members of the WSF by the event entry deadline of 1 March 2018 will be eligible to be nominated. This applies to ALL players who wish to compete in the tournament.

IMPORTANT: If you are one of these players and wish to compete at the tournament, you MUST contact your NF as soon as possible to confirm your nomination for the tournament.

Additional nominations

In addition to the top 30 players, each NF which is a member of the WSF is eligible to nominate up to a further four players to compete in the tournament.

For the avoidance of doubt, players ranked within the top 30 will not count towards these four players. For example if all 17 English players currently inside the top 30 of the rankings were to play in Malta, England’s NF (EASB) would still be able to nominate a further four players.

If you are currently ranked outside of the top 30 and wish to compete at the tournament, we urge you to contact your NF as soon as possible for further information as to their selection criteria for nomination.

Entry deadline

The event entry deadline for nomination is 1 March 2018.

All entries for this tournament must be submitted through National Federations.

For further information and to download the tournament invitation letter and supporting documents click HERE.

Reanne Evans claimed her second title of the 2017/18 season with a 4-0 victory against Nutcharut Wongharuthai at the British Open on Sunday evening.

The 11-time world champion was in fine form throughout the day having earlier seen off Laura Evans and then world number four Rebecca Kenna with breaks of 103 and 102 in the semi-finals to reach her fourth consecutive WLBS final.

There she would await 18-year-old Thai talent Nutcharut Wongharuthai who playing in her first competition in the UK, defeated the likes of established stars Maria Catalano and reigning world champion Ng On Yee 4-2 to reach her maiden final.

It was however to be Evans’ day, as ultimately ran out a comfortable winner in the best of seven frame final. Following defeats at the UK and Masters tournaments before Christmas, the 32-year-old was pleased to be back in the winner’s circle with next month’s World Women’s Snooker Championship fast approaching.

“I’ve been struggling for form,” said Evans. “But I felt a little bit more comfortable today, and I am happy with the win. It has been good to see everyone again this weekend and to be back competing at a tournament after a little gap in the season.

“I am now looking forward to the World Championship and hopefully going into the tournament with this win here will put me in good stead to continue that form in Malta. I would like to thank my sponsor Bobby Lee and Elite Studios, who will also be sponsoring me in Malta which is a big help.

And despite her comfortable victory in the final, Evans was also impressed by her young opponent who made such an impression on her UK debut.

“It is good to see some new faces,” said Evans. “She played really well against Maria [Catalano in the last 16], who said that she was a lot better than her on the day and was full of praise for her. She was also in my group in Singapore at last year’s World Championship so I knew that she could play.”

Parker at the double

Elsewhere at the British Open there was a title double for Emma Parker, who claimed victory in both the Challenge Cup and Under-21 competitions in Stourbridge.

The 18-year-old first defeated fellow youngster Shannon Metcalf 3-1 to win the Challenge Cup for players who had not progressed beyond the last 16 of the main competition, before edging a dramatic final against Stephanie Daughtery later in the day to add the Under-21 title.

As well as the trophies, she also won a cue generously as an extra prize for the Challenge Cup winner by Dean Jones Cues.

Finally, the Seniors competition was won by Jenny Poulter, who maintained her unbeaten run in the over-40s events this season with a 2-0 success against Sharon Kaur.

World Championship

The World Women’s Snooker Tour will return next month with the World Women’s Snooker Championship, which for the first time will be staged as part of the new World Snooker Federation Championships in Malta from 14-17 March.

Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee will become world number one for the first time when the WLBS world rankings are revised next week.

Following her 3-0 victory against Emma Parker at the last 16 stage of the WLBS British Open this evening, the reigning world champion has already ensured that she will earn sufficient ranking points from the event held in Stourbridge, England to overhaul long-time number one Reanne Evans at the top of the ranking list, regardless of tomorrow’s results.

On Yee will become the first player from Asia to ascend to the summit of the WLBS rankings, crowning a magnificent past 12 months which has seen the 27-year-old claim five WLBS ranking titles, including her second world title last March in Singapore.

Mandy Fisher said: “It is a brilliant achievement for On Yee to become world number one for the first time ever. She works so hard on her game and since joining our tour seven years ago her determination and desire to improve have always stood out.

“Her rivalry with Reanne at the top of the sport can only be positive for women’s snooker and I am sure that this will be a battle that will continue for many years as Reanne looks to fight back and re-take the top ranking.”

The tournament resumes on Sunday with the main event now down to the quarter-finals. View today’s results and the updated draw HERE.

Saturday sees the return of the World Women’s Snooker Tour with staging of the 2018 British Open in Stourbridge and with the draw for the tournament now out, we take a look at a few of the key themes to follow throughout the event.

Battle for No.1

This weekend could see a change at the top of the ranking list for the first time in four years as reigning world champion On Yee homes in on long-time number one Reanne Evans.

Like the professional World Snooker Tour, the WLBS operates a two-year rolling ranking list on which points earned at events this season will gradually replace those earned during the 2015/16 campaign.

On Yee comes into the tournament 1,550 points behind Evans following their most recent clash at the Eden Masters in Gloucester last October, but with Evans set to lose a significant amount of ranking points from title victories in early 2016, it is the Hong Kong player who will become world number one for the first time in her career if she can win just one match to reach the quarter-finals this weekend in Stourbridge.

Group draw

With the top two not entering the draw until the last 16 stage however, we must first turn to the Group Stages, the draw for which has thrown up a number of interesting contests.

There are local derbies in at least two groups as Suzie Opacic and Chloe White, who both practice at the same club, have been paired together in Group A, while the two Welsh players in the competition Laura Evans and Sharon Lewis have been matched in Group B.

Four players will be making their first appearances of the season, including Thailand’s Nutcharut Wongharuthai who memorably made the tournament high break of 90 at last year’s World Women’s Snooker Championship in Singapore. Also returning for the first time since last season’s LITEtask Festival in April will be Hong Kong’s Jaique Ip Wan In, while both Sharon Lewis and Chrissy Allwood will also be back in action.

There will be one WLBS debutant competing at the tournament as we welcome Connie Stephens to the tour. She will begin her tournament against number three seed Maria Catalano and Jackie Ellis, who made her own debut last time out at the Women’s Masters in Gloucester.

Side events

There will also be side-events played during the course of the weekend, with the draw for the Under-21 competition already made ahead of the competition. The top two seeds Shannon Metcalf and Stephanie Daughtery (using the current Under-21 ranking list) have been kept apart in the draw, which also sees Chloe White paired with Emma Parker in the quarter-finals, set to be their third encounter this season at Under-21 level having won one each previously.

A Seniors event will also take place, with the draw to be made during the course of the weekend.

There will also be a Challenge Cup tournament contested for players who have not qualified to play during Sunday’s final stages.

Tournament updates

As always, the latest results and draws from the British Open will be available to view throughout the weekend at MySnookerStats, with regular updates and photos to be posted at our Facebook and Twitter pages.

This weekend sees the return of the World Women’s Snooker Tour with the WLBS British Open, to be played for the first time at the Stourbridge Institute, England.

One player more than familiar with the venue is world number three Maria Catalano, who will be looking to build upon a consistent first half of the season by once again making it to the final stages of a ranking event.

We caught up with her recently to discuss her current form, her relationship with friend and rival Reanne Evans and how she has turned her hand to refereeing in recent times alongside her playing career…

The women’s tour returns this weekend and you won’t have too far to travel with the British Open to be played at your local club in Stourbridge. How much are you looking forward to playing an event there?

I am really looking forward to a tournament, it has been a while since the last one and I can’t wait to get back playing.

It’s nice to have a competition on home ground and being familiar with the club. It’s a good club!

You have had a consistent start to the season so far with two semi-final runs, how happy are you with your game right now?

I am quite happy with my game at the moment. I have had the opportunity to practice recently which is always good. If I have practice time I really should be reaching at least the semi-finals consistently.

Last time out in Gloucester you came agonisingly close to victory against Reanne Evans. Does that give you the confidence that you can take the next step to be able to beat the top two and win more titles?

It’s always nice to reach the stage that you should be doing based on your talent. I have always felt on my day I am capable of beating any of the female players. My game is never been about who I am playing but more about how I approach my game on the day.

Although Reanne is a big rival on the table, you are great friends off it. How did you get to know her and how hard is it to play against somebody that you are friends with?

I met Reanne through her brother who was playing snooker at the time and the local league games. Now I can’t get rid of her! 🙂

We are good friends off the table but during a match you kind of have to just focus on the game rather than who you are playing. I enjoy playing Reanne as it can make for a really good match.

As well as playing, you are also refereeing, recently including an exhibition with Mark Selby in Stourbridge, tell us a little about that. Do you enjoy refereeing?

I took up refereeing to get involved in a different aspect of the game, however, my passion still lies with playing. It’s still nice to be involved in some refereeing though to support the game and exhibitions are really good.

I was refereeing Mark a couple of weeks ago and I chose the right night to do it – Mark was fantastic, making three centuries and a 147! It was an amazing night and one I can tick off my list that I have refereed a 147!

Who are some of the other players on the tour who you think that we should watch out for over the next few years?

For me there are a lot of juniors that are coming through who have great potential. To be honest the one who stands out for me is Shannon Metcalf. Shannon is just very naturally talented and there is nothing forced in her game which is nice to see. I have high hopes for her in the future.

Next up after the British Open will be the big one, this year’s World Women’s Snooker Championship in Malta. Are you looking forward to that?

I can’t wait! I have never been to Malta and the distance is good. I have heard great things about the hotel and venue so it should be a great tournament.

And finally, tell us a little bit about your life away from the baize and your unusual day job!

I work really hard off the table with my dad and brother from March to November every year. Our family ice cream business ‘Antonios Ices’ has been going for over 60 years now. It’s all about work during these months for me so I do not have time to pick my cue up, nor do I want to as I am knackered! 😊

It is challenging and frustrating as come November I have had months off and have to really pick myself up to get back into playing well, but I have always done it and I am not quite ready to give the game up yet.

The job funds my tournaments as I have never had a sponsor, but I have had some me time and I am ready for Stourbridge and Malta before its back to the graft! 🙂

Maria has been drawn to play in Group D at the British Open, where she will begin her quest for the title with matches against Jackie Ellis and newcomer Connie Stephens on Saturday.

The top eight ranked players will all be in action, with top two seeds Reanne Evans and Ng On Yee both seeded straight through to the knockout rounds and the likes of Maria Catalano, Rebecca Kenna and Laura Evans among those looking to join them by successfully navigating their way through Saturday’s group stages.

In addition to the main event, there will also be side-events for Under-21 and Seniors players, together with a Challenge Cup event for players who have been knocked out of the main competition before Sunday.

The World Women’s Snooker Tour returns in 2018 with the WLBS British Open, to be played at the Stourbridge Institute from 17-18 February

The event will be the fourth event of the 2017/18 season following success for Reanne Evans at the Paul Hunter Women’s Classic last August and back-to-back titles for Ng On Yee at the UK and Masters tournaments at the end of the year.

Subject to entries, there will also be side-events for Under-21 and Seniors players held during the weekend.

The tournament will also be the final event prior to this season’s World Women’s Snooker Championship, to be held for the first time in Malta as part of the inaugural WSF Championships. With the top 30 players from the WLBS ranking list who are members of National Federations who are full members of the WSF, the event also offers the final chance to gain crucial ranking points ahead of the tournament in March.